This week, the Parent Bloggers Network asked us what we can do as well as any man. For me, I feel somewhat confident doing some routine maintenance on my car like changing the oil. My first car was a 1966 Mustang, which was a great car. But being that it was older, I always had to keep a close check on the oil and automatic transmission levels. Now I think nothing of checking the fluid levels in our vehicle. Let’s take a look under the hood.

To check the oil in my car, the dipstick is located in the front. For my truck, the dipstick is located in the right side. The brake fluid always seems to be in the same position. It’s back towards the firewall on the driver’s side. There is also the power steering fluid that is located on the passenger’s side of the motor. We don’t have an automatic, but for my Mustang the dipstick for it was located on the opposite side of the oil dipstick.

To check the oil, your engine needs to be cool. Remove the dipstick, wipe it off, and put it back. Remove once again to get an accurate reading. To check the transmission fluid, the engine needs to either be warm or running.

A good thing to have in your car is paper towels and some hand cleaner from the auto section because working with an engine on any level can be dirty work.

That’s about it for my automobile know-how. I am good at fetching tools when my husband works on the car. Well, that is when I’m out there with him. For automotive answers, I usually turn to him or Ask Patty. Of course, Ask Patty has never given me that “I can’t believe you just asked that” look, so I guess it’s easy to figure out who I prefer to get my answers from.

Are you wandering what you are going to do with all those plastic Easter eggs? Surprisingly, there are many uses for plastic Easter eggs. Here are 50 suggestions:

1. Putting prizes in for egg hunts.

2. Use to hold paint if eggs do not have holes in them.

3. Store pantyhose. (larger eggs. remember when pantyhose used to come in eggs?)

4. Keep necklaces from getting tangled by placing one in an egg. Great for travel.

5. Packing material.

6. Make an egg duck.

7. Or how about a plastic egg bunny.

8. Grab some glue, beads, and ribbon. Decorate eggs and then display in a nice basket.

9. Try felted Easter eggs.

10. Make your own play dough and store it in plastic eggs.

11. Try a Dinosaur Excavation eggs for a fun project.

12. Decorate eggs with faces. Glue craft stick to egg and put on a puppet show.

13. Stuff with potpourri and use as an air freshener. Either puncture holes in eggs or use eggs that already have small holes.

14. String eggs together to create garland for a fireplace mantle or table centerpiece.

15. Saving receipts? Place important receipts for big ticket purchases in eggs for safe storage.

16. Store special coins. This way you are less likely to accidentally spend that state quarter or wheat penny.

17. Glue eggs halves around a plain picture frame to create a one-of-a-kind frame that is perfect for holding that egg hunt picture.

18. Store craft beads. Keep organized by color.

19. Use it to keep eye shadow brushes clean and easily accessible.

20. Keep plastic eggs to use in conjunction with gifts. Put tiny trinkets until the eggs for an added surprise for the recipient.

21. Use sand in plastic eggs when you need to weigh down a gift bag to keep it from tipping over.

22. Keep small eyeglasses screwdriver and screws since it’s much easier to find a brightly colored plastic egg in a junk drawer than a small screwdriver.

23. Place fingernail clippers inside because it will be easier to find when you need it.

24. Use eggs to help younger kids learn to count.

25. Learning tool to learn colors as well. or combine games(give me the blue egg, or give me two pink eggs)

26. Fill eggs with different materials like dirt, rocks, etc. Have children try to guess what each egg holds.

27. Have children race with a plastic egg in a spoon. If they drop the egg, then they are out of the race. Usually done with real eggs but fill plastic eggs with water or dirt to give them a little weight.

28. Another racing game is to have kids push a plastic egg with their nose to the finish line.

29. Form a line and have each person pass the egg to the next person without using their hands. See how far it can be passed before it’s dropped.

30. Play croquet. Take a plastic bat and tap the plastic eggs around the yard, trying to steer eggs through the scoring goals.

31. Mismatch eggs and then have children race to place the eggs back to one color.

32. Hide one prize in an egg. Then quiz kids on various subjects. When they get a question right, they get to choose an egg. Game is over when the special egg is found.

33. Place in a basket for decoration.

34. Convert your Christmas tree into an Easter tree. Take ribbon and hang plastic eggs on tree.

35. Use half an egg to scoop sand or take to beach to build sandcastles.

36. Add plastic eggs to ball pit or make your own by tossing them into an empty, small swimming pool.

37. Keep loose buttons in them.

38. Pack some thread and a needle in one for a travel sewing kit.

39. Keep loose change organized on a dresser or in your car by placing it in eggs.

40. Fill eggs with sand to create your own weights for use during workouts. Plug any holes in eggs first.

41. Weight down eggs with dirt or sand and use in flower garden as decoration

42. Keep small parts to board games(like Monopoly pieces: shoe, horse, etc.) so you don’t lose them.

43. Place cotton balls in eggs. Takes up little space and keeps them clean.

44. Keep an egg in your purse to hold loose change.

45. Use a plastic egg to hold one serving size of your favorite candy. This way you can have a little treat guilt free.

46. Keep band-aids in eggs when traveling or in your purse.

47. Place jewelry that you plan to wear with each outfit into separate eggs. It will keep it together and well organized.

48. Place small media cards inside eggs to protect them as well as to be able to find them fast.

49. Do you work on computers? Place those small screws inside a plastic egg and never lose one again.

50. Donate plastic eggs to a church or organization that sponsors a community egg hunt.

We love to visit with our in-laws. The only problem is that they are smokers and we are not. Once Rae was born, we worried about the smoke at night bothering her while she tried to sleep as sometimes it bothered us.

So we began to look at air purifiers to find one that would fit our needs when we went to the in-laws. We found a nice, compact, desktop air purifier. Since it was small, we just left it there. The air purifier worked well as long as the air filter was clean. It also served as a desktop fan, which was nice on the hot, summer nights.

The air purifier was $15 and worth every penny to ensure a good night’s sleep away from home.

My husband turned an old storage box into a cat bed to protect the cats from the elements.

He took some old bedding to line the bottom with it and to make the curtain. I’m not sure that cats really appreciate it or even if Fade, the bigger cat, can get through the opening. I guess if it gets cold enough again, they will test it out.

I had used a cardboard banana box that the cats seemed to enjoy sleeping in. The top had the hole in it, so it was easy to get fully into the box. The storage box is the upgraded version of their cat house. They seem not as impressed with it. Hopefully we are done with the brutally cold nights. Next year we will have to come up with another cat house solution.

If you are looking for a bargain then look no further than an auction. At auctions you can find everything from livestock to cars to cheap land for sale. How do you find auctions in your area?

Check your local newspaper as they will probably be advertised quite a bit. Once you go to an auction, chances are you will be able to sign up to be notified of future auctions either held by the auctioneer or at the auction location. Usually it’s by mail or email. This notices will also list several items that will be auctioned off. You will know ahead of time if anything piques your interest.

Attending an auction can be a lot of fun. Plan to stay for a while because it might last a long time especially if it’s something like an estate auction. There is usually food but you might have to bring your own chair depending on the venue. If it’s a location where auctions are usually held then seating will most likely be provided. If it’s an estate auction, it’s best to come prepared. It’s likely the auctioneer will have some seating but not enough for everyone.

The next time you are in need of a big item or just want to have a different buying experience, try going to an auction.

It’s amazing the interesting facts you can learn at the dentist office. While in the waiting room, I was thumbing through a health book when I ran across this tip for how to tell if eggs are fresh.

Apparently fresh eggs will sink to the bottom of a glass or bowl of water. Older eggs will float in the water. Eggs are slightly porous and as they age, more air enters into the egg, thus causing them to float.

Also, if a boiled egg’s yolk is closer to the edge, it’s an older egg because apparently the yolk drops as the egg ages.

An interesting dental visit indeed.

It’s so hard to remember pet supplies when I go to the grocery store. They are tucked away into a corner that I seldom have a reason to go to. So, I wind up having to make an extra trip just for cat food or flea treatment.

One way I can avoid making these extra trips for items it to make a list of what I need. I usually try to keep a running list going that is located on a white, erasable board near the kitchen. It works sometimes but it only works if I actually take a list with me and don’t leave it at home.

I’m hoping that once I get accustomed to shopping with a list that I will remember to always make my list before I go shopping. I seldom forget to buy us food but usually forget about the cats. The cats would probably appreciate if I shopped with a list more often, too.

This month is almost over. At the beginning of the month I began a new diet. I have been preparing recipes from the Biggest Loser cookbook and hope to add exercise to my regime soon.

So far I’ve lost about 8 pounds. That’s just been from cutting back calories. I’ve haven’t taken any weight loss pills or drank into meal replacement shakes. So far I’ve been trying to eat between 1200 and 1700 calories a day. I try to eat around 300 calories for breakfast, 400 for lunch, and 300 for dinner. I eat two 100 calorie snacks a day.

Here are some ways that I’ve cut back on calories. I’ve switched to either ground turkey, chicken, or lean ground beef. Read that labels as it is amazing the difference in just lean ground beef and regular ground beef. I’ve also switched to whole wheat tortillas instead of flour tortillas since we enjoy eating wraps. Whole wheat is higher in fiber, so it will keep you satisfied longer.

I already drank diet drinks but cutting out regular sodas can really trim the daily caloric intake. Even if you just drink one 12 ounce can a day, since a serving is 8 ounces, that’s 1 and 1/2 servings. If a serving has 180 calories then add 90 to it to get the total for just one can of soda.

Just doing small things to your diet can help cut those calories.

I know I’m not the only person who will go to the store for a gallon of milk and spend $50. Today I figured out my problem and maybe a way I can trim my spending.

When I need one or two items, I shouldn’t go to my normal store since I’m more likely to pick up more items since I know where everything is. I should go to stores I’m unfamiliar with and go when I’m in a hurry. That way I will be more likely to grab what I need and leave. We’ll see if it works.

One good thing about the cold weather is that it makes getting ice cold Coke really easy. We are still using a dorm-sized refrigerator, so space is very limited. Having cold weather has been great to keep Cokes cold and our fridge less cluttered.